Afghan boy who wore plastic Messi jersey receives gifts sent by the Argentine himself

Murtaza Ahmadi, whose photo wearing a homemade Messi jersey was widely circulated on the internet earlier this year, was given two signed shirts and a ball by the FC Barcelona striker

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11:00PM Wednesday 24 Feb

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24 Feb 16

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Five-year-old MurtazaAhmadi, an Afghan boy whose photo went viral after he was pictured wearing an Argentine National Team soccer jersey made from a plastic bag with ‘Messi’ and the number ’10’ penned on the back, today received a special package sent by UNICEF Goodwill AmbassadorLionel Messi.

The package, given to Murtaza at the UNICEF Afghanistan Office in Kabul, contained two of Messi’s teams’ soccer jerseys - the Argentine National Team and FC Barcelona - and a ball, as a symbol of Messi’s commitment to fomenting sports in children’s lives. The items were signed by Messi himself.

Murtaza is just one of 246 million of children living in countries and areas affected by conflict across the world. Murtaza and all children affected by crises must have access to their right to sport and play.